FAQ

How often do I have to clean a pacifier?

Before first use boil for 5 minutes or sterilize in the MAM microwave sterilizer then wash regularly with water. If the pacifier has become dirty, wash with a mild detergent or boil.

How often should I replace the pacifier?

Always inspect the pacifier before and after each use for wear (e.g. sticky surface or swollen latex teats) and damage (e.g. bite marks) and throw away when worn, damaged or punctured. Normally an intensively used pacifier should be replaced after approximately 1-2 months. The life span of latex, a natural product, could be prolonged by using chemicals. However, we do not do this because there would be a slight risk to baby’s health. To prolong the life span of silicone pacifiers by increasing hardness or wall thickness is not recommended by orthodontists, so we do not do this either.

Could my baby swallow a pacifier?

No. The MAM pacifier range is developed together with experts, and conforms to international standards and cannot be swallowed. Do not panic if your baby puts the whole pacifier into the mouth. The special pacifier design with many ventilation holes enables your baby to continue to breathe in such an event. Keep calm and remove the pacifier carefully. It is stressful and alarming when the baby cries or gets red in the face from anger, but there is absolutely no danger of suffocation. Since the minimum sizes for pacifiers and ventilation holes for pacifier shields were introduced 20 years ago, and remain in force today, there has been no serious injury or death due to suffocation in the USA or Europe.

What is the difference between latex and silicone nipples?

Latex is a very smooth, resistant natural rubber, which ages and loses its hygienic appearance after longer usage. Silicone is easier to clean, does not wear off and has a hygienic appearance. However it is not as bite-resistant and slightly less elastic. Let your baby decide which teat it prefers.

How important are shape and texture of the pacifier nipple?

The orthodontic shape of the nipple is essential for correct sucking habits. "Preshaped” or asymmetrical pacifiers only have one correct type of usage – with the "right” side upwards. For that reason, our MAM pacifiers have symmetric nipples and guarantee that the baby cannot use the pacifier "upside down". Because of their shape and the different sizes for different age groups, MAM nipples adapt perfectly to your baby’s mouth and train the jaw muscles. The nipple should also be soft to adapt naturally to the baby’s sucking action. The MAM nipples deflate and extend during sucking. This is caused by small air vents at the stem of the knob. Thus the nipple becomes flatter and more comfortable to the gum.

Can pacifier use be harmful for my baby?

 75% - 95% of all babies satisfy their sucking need with a pacifier or a finger. While sucking of any kind for a long period of time can lead to malformation of the jaws and gums, researches suggest that orthodontic pacifiers promote muscular activity and thus have a good effect on the healthy development of children’s teeth. In general, babies using a pacifier are less inclined towards "baby bottle tooth decay" which is caused by using baby bottles instead of pacifiers as pacifiers promote the production of saliva. Saliva contains a high percentage of calcium, phosphates and fluorides, three important elements in building up dental enamel and is also the natural enemy of cavities. Scientific studies indicate that babies using pacifiers stop using them earlier than thumb suckers, an important reason why many pediatricians recommend pacifiers.

How often and how long per day can my baby can suck on the pacifier without any harm?

Let the natural sucking reflex of your baby answer that question! There is no "recommended maximum daily rate”. To avoid damage of jaws and teeth, we would recommend to let a baby have an orthodontic MAM pacifier rather than the finger.

Does a baby need a pacifier?

Most babies suck longer than necessary for feeding. Research studies indicate that "non-nutritive” sucking plays an important role in early development and should not be restricted. Without a pacifier a baby might suck on the finger, which is a more difficult habit to stop and could also affect the healthy development of jaws and teeth. Therefore many pediatricians recommend the pacifier. But do not use the pacifier to replace your love. Babies who do not want a pacifier should never be forced to use one.

Which types of colours does MAM use for printing pacifier motifs (including Night pacifiers)?

All the colours we use are approved to be used with foodstuffs and meet all safety standards. Furthermore they conform to DIN EN 71, part 3 migration of special elements. Why are the sizes of MAM pacifiers overlapping? Not all children are the same size at the same age. For that reason MAM had developed pacifiers with overlapping sizes. We recommend changing to a pacifier with a bigger shield at the age of 6 months. Sometimes, however, there is no point in changing at exactly this age. For example, if your baby is still very small at the age of 6 months you may continue using MINI ULTI (0 – 7 months). Equally, if your baby is more developed at the age of 5 months you may change earlier to ULTI MAM (5 – 20 months).

When should a child stop using a pacifier?

There is no strict rule for that. Most children stop to use a pacifier before their third year, while only 1% of children continue to use a pacifier to the age of 5. In the case that your baby does not want to stop using a pacifier by itself, we recommend to reduce usage gradually until the 36th month of life. (See MAM Interactive for "MAMPI" - a pacifier story)

How do I wean my baby off pacifiers?

Normally parents have great imagination when teaching something to their children or making them stop some habit. Invent a story or use our "Weaning-off story" (look at MAM Interactive to find "MAMPI" a pacifier story) with which we would like to help you. You may, of course, alter it or adapt to your child. It is certainly not the absolute and immediate solution, but it has – prepared and used with a lot of patience and love – helped many parents to reach their goal.

How can pacifiers help to reduce the risk of SIDS?

Click here to read a study about this topic..

Do MAM products contain plasticizers?

MAM products do not contain plasticizers, because we do not use PVC for our products. Since the company’s foundation, MAM has never used such plasticizers. We have always used alternative materials that are beyond dispute for our products. We will not change this policy in the future.

What are Nitrosamines and how does MAM control the content of Nitrosamines and nitrosable materials?

You have possibly heard of Nitrosamines; a common group of chemicals. They can be found amongst others in fried bacon, cured meat, cosmetics, the majority of rubber products contain Nitrosamine, while Nitrosamines have also been detected in breast milk. In general nitrosable materials are neither poisonous for people or for test animals. We know however that some nitrosables, e.g. nitrosable material in rubber products materials can be converted into Nitrosamine during storage. Therefore nitrosable materials are as such not dangerous, but are controlled due to the possible risk of transformation. The meticulously chosen chemicals of the company MAM are strictly tested, in order to make sure that nitrosable materials as well as nitrosamines have the lowest possible values. The permissible values are stipulated in the pacifier design. All soothing parts are put through a special procedure ’48 hour leaching’ in the factory. This removes not only the majority of the nitrosamines and nitrosable materials but also the large majority of the free proteins – therefore the risk of a latex protein allergy is reduced. Also the sterilisation of the pacifier before use serves as additional security. Further the company MAM regularly sends batches of soothing parts to an independent laboratory for analysis. Therefore we can ensure our consumers that our products satisfy the highest requirements.